With a motto from a summer school in Florence for Art and Italian courses “Ars longa, vita brevis” – HSE Alumni launched art business in Dubai keeping a connection with Russia and creating a new reality.

Another interesting addition worth mentioning is that, during our class presentation the day before, a colleague cited ‘borsch’ soup as an example. As a special meal, I was told it’s a great Russian dish.

I felt like an intruder as I was so curious at the same time. As it is so different than in my own country, The Netherlands, I wanted to ask about everything, take a look and just observe how people behaved.

In warm countries they change friends easier, because of the mentality like «ok, this summer I share your views, next summer I have other interests». But the Russian soul is very sensitive and vulnerable.

It is a common experience for anyone that has lived abroad for a longer period of time, friends and/or family coming over and hoping to see and experience the life you have been excitingly posting about on your Facebook, Instagram or other social media.

The Olkhon Island is probably one of the few spots on earth, which hasn’t been polluted by people. The lake is still so clean, that if you would fill a cup directly from the shore, you could drink its water straight away.

The global financial crisis, which began several years ago, has affected most countries in the world. Economic and political changes have drastically influenced people’s lifestyles and migration patterns.

Moscow State University of Foreign Affairs (MGIMO) hosted the annual BRICS Global University Summit – an event during which the participants shared knowledge and discussed the joint educational agenda of member countries.